分布

• Pinyin: fēn bù
• Hanzi breakdown: 分 = 八 (divide) + 刀 (knife) — to cut apart; 布 = cloth that is spread out — together: spread across

Meaning

To be distributed; to be spread across. Describes how things are scattered or arranged across an area or range.

Used for describing the geographical, spatial, or statistical spread of things. Common in academic, scientific, and geographical contexts. Collocations include 分布广泛 (widely distributed), 地理分布 (geographical distribution), and 人口分布 (population distribution).

Examples

1. 这种植物主要分布在南方地区。 This type of plant is mainly distributed in southern regions.
2. 人口分布不均匀是一个社会问题。 Uneven population distribution is a social issue.
3. 商店分布在城市的各个角落。 Shops are spread across every corner of the city.

Usage Guide

Context: academic, geography, science

Tone: informative

Do Say

• 少数民族分布在全国各地。(Ethnic minorities are distributed across the country.)
• 这种鸟类分布范围很广。(This bird species has a very wide distribution.)

Don't Say

• 老师分布了作业 (Don't use 分布 for handing out or assigning things — use 分发 for distributing items or 布置 for assigning homework)

Origin & History

A compound of 分 (to divide/separate) and 布 (cloth/to spread), together meaning to spread out in divided portions across an area.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal